PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

• NCJ Number: 47215
• Journal: Policy Studies Journal Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (AUTUMN 1974) Pages: 37-44
• Author(s): R J RICHARSON
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 8 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: University of Houston; University of North Carolina
• Corporate Author: Policy Studies Organization
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

RESEARCH FINDINGS PERTAINING TO THE LEVEL OF PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND ITS COMPONENTS, THE LEVEL OF PUBLIC AWARENESS, AND THE DETERMINANTS OF PUBLIC SUPPORT ARE PRESENTED.

Abstract

A NUMBER OF NATIONAL AND REGIONAL STUDIES OF PUBLIC SUPPORT/APPROVAL INDICATE THAT OVERALL GENERAL (DIFFUSE) SUPPORT FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND PARTICULARLY FOR THE POLICE AND THE COURTS IS VERY HIGH. WHILE SUPPORT OF THE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS IS NOT AS HIGH, MORE THAN HALF OF THE POPULATIONS IN STUDIES HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE. PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD SPECIFIC POLICIES OF EACH OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM ARE MORE POSITIVE THAN NEGATIVE FOR POLICE POLICIES, MORE NEGATIVE THAN POSITIVE TOWARD SPECIFIC COURT POLICIES, AND ARE SLIGHTLY CRITICAL TOWARD CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. INTERESTINGLY, DATA SHOW THAT THE GENERAL POPULATION HAS A NUMBER OF MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE COURTS AND OFTEN ATTRIBUTE POLICIES OF THE OTHER COMPONENTS TO THE COURTS. WHILE OVERALL APPROVAL OF THE SYSTEM AND ITS COMPONENTS IS HIGH, THERE ARE SUBSTANTIAL SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION WHICH DO NOT ACCEPT THE LEGITIMACY OF SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS. IN GENERAL MINORITY GROUP STATUS, PARTICULARLY BLACK RACIAL MEMBERSHIP, IS ASSOCIATED WITH LOW LEVELS OF SUPPORT FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. AGE, INCOME, AND RACE ARE ALSO VARIOUSLY RELATED TO THE DEGREE OF SUPPORT FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND ITS COMPONENTS. EXPERIENCE AND TYPE OF EXPERIENCE APPEAR TO MAJOR DETERMINANATS OF ATTITUDES. FOR INSTANCE, COMMUNITIES OR GROUPS WHO HAVE GENERALLY UNSATISFACTORY CONTACTS WITH THE POLICE WILL TEND TO EVIDENCE MORE NEGATIVE ATTITUDES TOWARD POLICE. FINALLY, PERSONAL SALIENCE OF THE INSTITUTIONS GREATLY AFFECTS OPINIONS TOWARDS THEM. FINDINGS SUGGEST THAT POLITICAL PARTICIPATION INVOLVES SUBJECTIVE INTERPRETATION AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, AND THAT FACILITATING POSITIVE POINTS OF CONTACT BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COULD AID IN ENHANCING PUBLIC SUPPORT AND APPROVAL. FURTHER RESEARCH INTO PUBLIC OPINION AND ITS DETERMINANTS IS RECOMMENED. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (JAP)